The following information mainly concerns Bolt pistol manufactured by/ for and/ or used by the various human factions and organisations, not for bolt pistols manufactured by Xenos - for the latter please see the corresponding paragraph at the end of the article.

Outside of Space Marines and other elite Imperial forces, bolt pistols are rare and are signs of status and power. They are only manufactured in specialized facilities on Mars and Space Marine homeworlds due to the advanced technology inherent to them. [3] Only a minority can afford them because of the high cost of maintenance and ammunition. Sometimes they are passed down through the generations of noble families as heirlooms and relics detailed with elaborate scrollwork and family crests.[1][2]

Imperial Bolter designs

Adeptus Astartes

Note that some of these are only used by specific Space Marine Chapters.

Guardian Bolt Pistol

The Guardian Bolt Pistol is a distinction awarded to DeathwatchSpace Marines regardless of rank for conspicuous gallantry, courage under fire, or actions above and beyond the call of duty. Therefore they also serve as a status sign for veterans and the bearer's name and his deed are inscribed on the weapon during the awarding ceremony. Each weapon is tailored for its wearer and he is allowed to keep it, even after leaving the Deathwatch to return to his Chapter. However if these pistols are not buried with their owner but are found somewhere they are taken back to the Deathwatch where they are enshrined along with the recorded deeds of it's previous owner. These pistols are not re-issued.[6]

Godwyn Ultima

Note:due to the ambiguous labelling of the images it is not possible to say if the weapon shown here is a "Godwyn Ultima" or an "Ultima".

Spectris pattern

Tigrus pattern

Tigrus Pattern Bolt pistol was first discovered in the depths of Forge WorldTigrus and the STC data for it was quickly disseminated throughout the Imperium before the beginning of Horus Heresy. Tigrus is now lost, yet the bolt-pistols that bear its name, though no longer produced, continue to see service in the 41st Millennium.[10]

Other Bolt pistols used by Imperial or human factions and organisations

Ceres pattern

Garm Pattern Service Bolt Pistol

The Garm Pattern Service Bolt Pistol is a large and intimidating design that are therefore often used by Commissar who wear them unholstered in the line of duty.[4b]

Cinder Crag Forge "Mauler" Bolt Pistol

Mauler bolt pistols are designed for "normal" humans (not like the much heavier and bulkier Adeptus Astartes variants) and are manufactured using the best alloys and components. Each sophisticated copy is hand-made by the Servitor-savants of the Cinder Crag and unique as it has to be tailored to the client's precise biometric data.[4a]